COURSE SYLLABUS
ANT 3034-U02 Anthropological Theories
Spring 2014
Wednesdays 5:00 – 7:40. #13910. Arena 119
Maidique Campus, Florida International University
Version of January 8, 2014b
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Theories structure a discipline’s inquiry and define what is important. This course investigates
anthropological ways of knowing, understanding, and explaining humankind. A special focus is on
how theories and methods are used by applied, practicing and public anthropologists to address
contemporary issues.
Through a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences among anthropological theories
and theorists, we discuss how these have changed or remained consistent over time adapting to the
social, political, and economic trends in science, society, and the world. By each student focusing
on a contemporary theory we explore the history of ideas and theorists that guide anthropological
inquiry, applications and public discourse today. On successful completion of the course students
should be able to articulate a theoretical perspective they can use to understand contemporary issues
and problems.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: What you should be able to do on completion of this course.
1. Understand the interpretive and explanatory role of theory for the production of knowledge.
2. Critique the assumptions, questions and preferred methods for major anthropological theories.
3. Apply a theoretical perspective to address a contemporary issue or problem.
4. Articulate verbally and in writing
A. a theoretical explanation for a research question or applied problem.
B. the major theorists credited for the development of the theory
C. how theory is used by applied and practicing anthropologists.
INSTRUCTOR
Dennis Wiedman, Ph.D. Anthropologist
Associate Professor. Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies.
Office: University Park SIPA 327. 305-348-2262
Office Hours: Wednesday 3:00 to 4:00, or by appointment.
Email: Wiedmand@fiu.edu Web Page: www.fiu.edu/~wiedmand
Email communication should be within Blackboard. I try to respond within three days.
REQUIRED READINGS:
Erickson, Paul A. and Liam D. Murphy
2008 A History of Anthropological Theory, Third Edition. Ontario: University of Toronto Press.
ISBN: 9781442601109
Moore, Jerry D.
2012 Visions of Culture: An Introduction to Anthropological Theories and Theorists.
Fourth Edition. New York: Alta Mira Press. ISBN 978-0-7591-2218-5
Original Anthropology Theorist Readings: Selected publications written by the original theorists are
discussed throughout the semester as noted in the schedule below and in Blackboard. All are available free of
charge through the FIU Library – electronic journals, or as a pdf in Blackboard.
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Syllabus - Anthropological Theories
WEB ASSISTED COURSE MATERIALS – Blackboard.
Specific information for course assignments is posted in Blackboard throughout the semester. Blackboard supports the
student learning experience with related readings, web page links, study aids, discussions, emails, and extra credit
exercises. Student computers should use Mozilla FireFox, MS Word, and Adobe Reader for pdf files.
Announcements: This is where the instructor communicates with the students.
It is important to read announcements as soon as they are posted.
Messages: Send emails to selected individuals using the drop down list.
Email the instructor only within Blackboard Messages.
Forums: Student discussions take place here on course topics.
Internet access can be through any computer. Computers in the FIU computer labs and the library are available for your
use. Begin by clicking on “Blackboard Learn” from the FIU current student main page.
Classroom Etiquette: During class time cell phones and text messaging must be turned off and out
of sight. Class discussions demonstrate the student's interest in the course, understanding of the
materials, as well as critical thinking and verbal skills. Active, courteous and informed participation
is highly desired.
Attendance: In order to succeed in this course, students are expected to attend every class. Avoid
arriving late or leaving early since this disrupts the presentation and student concentration. Course
materials, exercises and discussions presented in class are the responsibility of the student. In-class
exercises are designed to promote attendance.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
All course requirements must be completed in order to earn a passing grade. Each course
requirement earns points as noted in the grade calculation section. Final grades are non-negotiable;
letter grades are assigned based on the points earned.
1) Two Exams and Final Exam enables the student to demonstrate an understanding of the subject
by focusing on class lectures, films, readings, and presentations. The Final Exam is cumulative of
the entire course. Exams are composed of matching, multiple choice, true & false, word
identifications, essays, etc. Legitimate reasons for not taking an exam at the scheduled time must
be approved by the instructor prior to that date. Missed exams must be taken prior to the next class
meeting. Students with a written medical excuse receive their full exam score; others receive ten
points less than their exam score.
2) Exercises are in-class and out-of-class assignments that enable students to express their
perspectives, course comprehension and research abilities while demonstrating their writing and
presentation skills. Best scores are awarded for perfect punctuation, format, and logic written in the
style of the American Anthropologist. Missed in-class exercises cannot be made up; a written note
from a health practitioner is required in order not to receive reduced points.
3) Theory Spokesperson & Group Defense: Two to five students become advocates, proponents
and spokespersons for each of the major anthropological theories. By reading the course texts,
original theorist writings, course presentations and additional sources, each student serves as an
expert throughout the semester for the theory. Following the course presentation on that theory, the
group of spokespersons defends their theory from questions asked by other theory groups. A peerreview assessment of group member contributions is administered at the end of the semester.
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Syllabus – Anthropological Theories
4) First Essay on Applying Theory: Essay demonstrates the student’s knowledge of
anthropological theory and skills in critical analysis and writing. In this essay the student reviews
one research article discussing how anthropological theories are used by Applied and Practicing
Anthropologists to address a human problem. Select one research article published in the past seven
years from the publications “Human Organization,” or “Annals of Anthropological Practice.” How
do the authors use anthropology theory and methods to address an applied problem or issue.
Detailed instructions with key concepts and outline will be posted in Blackboard and discussed in
class. Minimum of two pages of text, not including references cited section. Papers will be
evaluated for their content, as well as grammar and spelling. Papers are submitted electronically in
Blackboard:Submissions using “turnitin.com.” Submit printed essay in class with an attached copy
of the selected article with your markups indicating the key concepts. Web pages cannot be used as
sources unless they are clearly justified as an authoritative sources.
5) Second Essay on Applying Theory: Discuss a second research article using the same criteria,
key concepts and outline as in the first essay. Then compare the first and second articles on how
they apply anthropological theories to address a human problem. Follow the instructions in
Blackboard: Course Materials. Your completed essay should have three parts: Part 1 discusses the
first article, Part 2 discusses the second article, and Part 3 compares the two articles. Each Part
should be 2 pages for a total of 6 pages, not including the “References Cited” section. Post in
Blackboard: Submissions. With your printed submission attach a copy of the second article with
your markups.
5) Career Profile Presentation: Combining information from your essays, and additional
information about the career area, the student produces a PowerPoint. What are the commonalities
in theoretical concepts and explanatory approaches of anthropologists working in this career area?
How do anthropologists working in this career area use anthropological theories and methods to
address their particular applied issues and problems? How do these theories relate to the major
heuristic theories and leading historical theorists. What are the career opportunities for this kind of
training? Additionally, what are the professional organizations that support this employment
sector? What training, certificates or degrees are needed? The presentation should be of a length
that is presentable in five to ten minutes. Instructor invites selected students to present to the class
for extra credit.
Style and Format: All written assignments, both electronic or printed, MUST be in the format and
style used by the American Anthropologist. Style guidelines are available in
Blackboard:Instructions, “Writing Papers in the Style of the American Anthropologist.” Use MS
Word, double space using 1 inch top, bottom, and side margins. Use Times Roman 12 point font.
Do not use footnotes. Single space the “References Cited” section which immediately follows the
text. Do not use separate cover page. Place topic of paper, student name, and date single-spaced on
top of first page. Name should appear on the top right of each page. Bottom center page numbers.
For printed papers, simply staple pages together, do not use a binder or fancy cover.
Timeliness: Printed exercises and essays are due within 10 minutes of the beginning of the class on
the due date; electronic versions are due in Blackboard one hour before the beginning of class.
Papers received before midnight of the scheduled day receive one-half letter grade less than earned,
thereafter they receive a letter grade reduction for each week it is late. Written assignments will not
be accepted after two weeks of the deadline. When both printed and electronic versions are
required, both are necessary in order to receive a grade. The last dates to submit extra credits and
late assignments are posted in the course schedule below.
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Syllabus - Anthropological Theories
Turnitin.com: Designated out-of-class exercises and course papers must be submitted through
Blackboard:Submissions using Turnitin.com. This University sponsored service improves student
writing by preventing plagiarism and provides rich feedback.
Academic Ethics
It is strictly prohibited to submit as one's own work any material produced by other persons, by a
professional research agency, or the Internet. It is considered “plagiarism” to not cite the sources of
your information. All sources must be identified with in-text citations and in a “References Cited”
section using the style of the American Anthropologist. Written exercises and papers must be
submitted to Blackboard:Turnitin for an assessment of originality. Student’s who violate these
principles could receive a grade of “F” for the course. The instructor has the authority to consider
academic misconduct charges that carry considerable penalties. Please consult the University
student handbook for further information on plagiarism and its consequences.
Optional Ways to Get a Better Grade
1 Optional Applied Anthropologist Presentation: Students who want to ensure a better grade can
produce a PowerPoint/Prezi presentation focusing on the career of a single applied anthropologist
highlighting how they contributed to the further development of anthropological theories to address
human problems. A list of applied anthropologists will be in Blackboard: Course Materials.
Students must be willing to present a PowerPoint in order to receive points. Post the presentation in
Blackboard submissions. Be sure to reduce the pixel size of the graphic images so that the file is
not too large to submit via Blackboard. CDs or thumb drives are not acceptable given the chance for
viruses. Earn up to three extra points.
2) Optional PowerPoint Presentation to the Class: The Instructor will preview the submitted
presentations and invite selected students to present their work before the class. Presentations can
earn up to five additional points.
3) Optional Internet Videos. Recommend Internet videos that facilitate student understanding of
anthropological theory. Justify your selection with a narrative why it is of value for students to
view, how it specifically contributes to a better understanding of anthropological theory. Identify
the part of the course could this could be used to facilitate student learning. What makes this
interesting? Include the web address, title of the video and viewing minutes. Post in Blackboard:
Discussions: Optional Video where students view and comment on the video. Recommendations are
accepted anytime during the semester up to the Friday of Week thirteen. Earn up to 5 extra points
for all recommendations.
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Syllabus - Anthropological Theories
FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
Grand Total Points
COURSE POINTS
Exam 1, 2, 3
15 points each
Theory Spokesperson
First Essay
Second Essay
Career Profile Presentation
Exercises **
TOTAL
Optional:
Earn points up to:
Individual PowerPoint
Presentation to Class
…..Internet Videos
Grand Total Points
45
5
5
10
10
25
A
AB+
B
BC+
=
=
=
=
=
=
95 – 100
90 – 94.9
87 – 89.9
84 – 86.9
80 – 83.9
77 – 79.9
C
CD+
D
DF
=
=
=
=
=
=
74 -76.9
70 – 73.9
67 – 69.9
64 – 66.9
60 – 63.9
59.9 or less
100
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5
5
113
** At the end of the semester the total number of points for the
Exercises may be more or less than the Course Points. Exercise points
are calculated using the following formula: A) Total points received
divided by B) Total possible points, multiplied by
C) Course Points = D) Course Points Earned. (A / B) x C = D
COURSE TOPICS AND READING SCHEDULE
Assigned readings are to be completed by class meeting. Modifications discussed in class and
posted in Blackboard:Week by Week supersede this schedule.
Week One: January 8. Introductions and Course Overview
Student Introductions Who’s Who. Post in Blackboard: Discussions by January 15, an hour before class.
View Internet video "This is Anthropology." In Blackboard:Course Materials: Course Videos and Internet Media.
Week Two: January 15. Anthropology Defined
Erickson & Murphy: Pps.1-61
Moore: ix – 3; Founders. Tyler, Morgan 5-29.
Do Library lessons on locating original theorist's publication and journals for essay on applying anthropology.
In Blackboard: Course Materials
Week Three: January 22. Major Theories.
Erickson & Murphy: 62-110.
Moore: Boas, Durkheim 36-54.
Week Four: January 29. Evolutionism
Erickson & Murphy: 111-165.
Moore: 157-159. White, Steward 157-184.
Steward, Julian (Cultural Ecology, Materialism)
1949 Cultural Causality and Law: A Trial Formulation of the Development of Early
Civilizations. American Anthropologist 51(1):1-27.
Exam 1 on Wednesday, January 29.
Week Five: February 5. American Cultural Patterns and Configurations
Erickson & Murphy: 166-215
Moore: Pps. 55-58; Kroeber, Benedict 59-80, Mead 95-106.
Week Six: February 12. British Structures and Functions
Moore: Malinowksi, Radcliffe-Brown, Evans-Pritchard 122-156.
Week Seven: February 19. Structuralism
Moore: Mauss 107-121, Levi-Strauss 205-223, Douglas 247-260.
Student selections of one research article. Posted in Blackboard: Discussions by midnight Sunday, Feb. 16.
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Syllabus - Anthropological Theories
Week Eight: February 26. Cognitive Theory
Moore: Sapir 81-94.
Dressler, William W., and James R. Bindon. (Cognitive Theory)
2000 The Health Consequences of Cultural Consonance: Cultural Dimensions of Lifestyle,
Social Support, and Arterial Blood Pressure in an African American Community.
American Anthropologist 102(2):244-260.
First Essay Applying Anthropology. Printed within 10 minutes of beginning of class, Feb 26.
Electronic version submitted an hour before class in Blackboard:Submissions.
Week Nine: March 5 Materialism, Political Economy
Moore: Harris 185-195; Leacock 196-204; Wolf 308-326.
Leacock, E. (Feminism, Materialism, Political Economy, Evolution)
1978 Women's Status in Egalitarian Society: Implications for Social Evolution.
Current Anthropology 19:247-75.
Exam 2 on Thursday March 5.
Spring Break – March 12 – No Class
Week Ten: March 19. Symbolic Interpretive
Moore: Pps. 205-207; Turner 224-234; Geertz 235-246.
Geertz, Clifford (Symbolic Interpretive)
1972 Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight. Daedalus 101(1): 1 - 37.
Week Eleven: March 26. Transactionalism, Processualism & Agency
Moore: Bourdieu 292-307; Sahlins 327-345.
Bourdieu, Pierre (Post-Modernism – Processualism)
2004 The Peasant and His Body. Ethnography 5:579-99.
Second Essay Applying Theory: Printed within 10 minutes of beginning of class, March 26.
Electronic version submitted an hour before class in Blackboard: Submissions.
Week Twelve: April 2. Feminism, Globalization
Moore: Pps. 261-265; Fernandez 267-276; Ortner 277-291.
Wiedman, Dennis (Biocultural, Globalization)
2010 Globalizing the Chronicities of Modernity: Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome.
In Chronic Conditions, Fluid States: Chronicity and the Anthropology of Illness. L. Manderson and
C. Smith-Morris, eds. Pp. 18-53. New Brunswick: Rutgers U. Press. (Pdf provided in Blackboard)
Career PowerPoint: Due April 2. Post in Blackboard: Submissions an hour before class.
Week Thirteen: April 9. Post-Modernism
Moore: Postscript, Current Controversies 346-352.
Deadline for extra credits and late items, April 9. (No items accepted 2 weeks after original deadline.)
Due within 10 minutes of beginning of class.
Electronic version submitted one hour before class in Blackboard:Submissions.
Week Fourteen: April 16
Course Review
Career Presentations
Student Presentations
Week Fifteen: Friday, April 25
Career Presentations and Student Presentations (If necessary)
Final Exam: Friday, April 25. 7:15 to 9:15.
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